The Investor's Regret

Had I but known
I would have turned left instead of right
I would have gone out the door
Instead of watching by the window
As life passed me by

Had I but known
That property values would go up
Despite inflation and elections
In spite of the Republicans
And even with the Democrats
That interest rates
Would not stop homeowners
From pursuing the American dream of
Homeownership

Had I but known
That though September 11th
Took lives and hearts
It left intact
The spirit of capitalism
That opportunities were born
As hearts and doubts were laid to rest

Had I but known
That for every adversity
There is a benefit of equal
Or greater value
I would have embraced life
And reaped a bundle

Had I but known
Of New Smyrna Beach
Daytona Beach Shores
And West Palm Beach
That a dollar invested today
Would yield ten
In a short twelve months
I would have been rich yesterday
And retired today

Had I but known
That you would treasure these words
I would have written a thousand more
I would have put them on CD
So you could learn and buy your home
Your second home and ten investment homes
I would have put them to music
So you could dance
Your way to the bank

Had I but known
I would have been myself
And not who I thought I ought to be
I would have lived in a cottage by the sea
And watched the property values grow
While writing of the local investors
Their rehabs, their joys, their lives
Tightly interwoven into the very fabric
Of my own

Had I but known
I would not be sitting here
Alone
Writing the story of my life
Which I don’t know that anyone
Will care enough to read
When I am gone
A legacy for those
I would have had around me
Had I but known
To stop and mentor someone…